The move came late Tuesday after the chatbot, which was live on his campaign website, drew backlash for its mocking tone toward fellow Democrat and San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safai.
Wiener, who is running to succeed Pelosi in California’s 11th Congressional District, apologized for the tool, which he said was intended as a lighthearted way to engage voters. The bot was programmed to respond to questions in the voice of Safai, often with exaggerated and unflattering characterizations of the supervisor’s record and platform.
Pelosi, who has not endorsed a candidate in the race, issued a statement calling the chatbot “disrespectful” and “beneath the dignity” of the office Wiener is seeking. Her criticism quickly reverberated through local political circles, prompting the senator’s campaign to reevaluate the digital strategy within hours.
The incident highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns, a trend that has raised concerns about accountability and the potential for misinformation. While chatbots and deepfake tools have been used in national races, Wiener’s deployment marked one of the first high-profile instances in a local California contest.
Campaign shifts focus after misstep
In a statement, Wiener said he takes full responsibility for the chatbot’s content and that it was a mistake to use that approach. He added that he has instructed his team to focus on substantive policy discussions rather than personal attacks as the primary election approaches.
Safai’s campaign declined to comment directly on the apology but reiterated that the supervisor is focused on issues such as housing and public safety. The episode has injected an unexpected wrinkle into a race that already includes several other candidates vying for the heavily Democratic seat.
Political analysts note that the rapid removal of the chatbot may limit the political damage for Wiener, but the episode serves as a cautionary tale for candidates experimenting with AI tools. The technology, they say, can amplify a campaign’s reach but also magnifies mistakes in ways that are difficult to control.
Pelosi’s seat is considered safe for Democrats in the general election, making the primary the decisive contest. Wiener remains a leading contender, though the controversy could give rivals an opening to question his judgment in the final weeks before voters head to the polls.
